The Wildcats made a winner of first-year coach Mark Stoops and Smith, who started for the first time since a season-ending ankle injury last September.

Most importantly for the Wildcats (1-1) was how Smith helped offensive coordinator Neal Brown's pass-oriented "Air Raid" philosophy take flight with TD passes of 48 yards to Jonathan George, 88 to Javess Blue and 56 to Jeff Badet. He completed 15 of 23 passes for 310 yards, 210 by halftime, as Kentucky outgained Miami 675-122 and allowed the RedHawks' only score on a fumbled punt return.

Whitlow, alternating with Smith, had Kentucky's first TD on a 9-yard run, and Sanders added a 5-yard score. Joe Mansour added two field goals.

Kentucky's win came before 54,846, delighted by the offensive excitement.